Three provinces to benefit from re-regulating pond
URDANETA CITY– The promised re-regulating pond of the San Roque Dam will boost farmers’ output not only in Pangasinan but in two provinces as well.
This was the optimistic view of the regional director of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) upon hearing President Gloria M. Arroyo list it as one of the priorities in her State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Engr. John Celeste said its completion will finally ease the irrigation woes of 70,000 farmers tilling about 70,000 hectares of farmlands from Pangasinan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.
Sixth District Rep. Conrado Estrella III was elated on hearing the President confirm what he had earlier reported to his constituents upon his arrival from the presidential trip to the US as a member of the President’s entourage.
He said he was ecstatic because the President later told him,” O, narinig mo ha, binanggit ko na “ when he approached the President to thank her after she delivered her speech.
Estrella said he earlier discussed the prospect and potential of the project with several Cabinet members during the President’s recent trip to the US.
Celeste said if the government appropriates about P600 million a year in the national budget, the re-regulating pond project can be completed in three years.
As envisioned, water from the hydro-electric plant for its power generation shall be impounded through the re- regulating pond and channeled as irrigation water downstream.
According to Celeste, the pond, which occupies about 100 hectares, shall serve as reservoir that can hold 60 million cubic meters of water.
Estrella said project will not only serve farmer’s irrigation needs but will support tourism activities and more importantly contribute to effective flood control and increase capacity for potable water.
The project was initially programmed for funding by foreign sources but this never materialized.
“We have already lost hope and I thank to President Arroyo for appreciating its importance,” Estrella added.
“This will be among the legacies of Mrs. Arroyo when she bows out of office in 2010, especially to her fellow Pangasinenses,” he said.
Meanwhile, Celeste reported that NIA has rehabilitated its irrigation canals and enabled farmers to double the service areas.
“But for the long term,” Celeste said “the re-regulating pond is the answer to the farmers’ plight.
“Nandiyan na yong tubig sa San Roque Dam. Ang problema lang natin ngayon aykung saan natin dadalhin yong tubig,” he added. #
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